Print

Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese No Drain Recipe Easy and Perfect

Instant Pot mac and cheese - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy mac and cheese made in the Instant Pot without draining the pasta, delivering rich, cheesy comfort food with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 8 ounces)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 ounces)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gather and measure your ingredients.
  2. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add the butter and let it melt completely (about 2 minutes), stirring occasionally to avoid browning.
  3. Whisk in the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute until it forms a smooth, bubbly paste (roux).
  4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to combine and avoid lumps; mixture will start to thicken slightly.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni evenly over the liquid but do not stir.
  6. Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
  7. When the timer beeps, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting.
  8. Open the lid and switch back to “Sauté.” Stir the pasta gently to separate any clumps.
  9. Pour in the milk and add the shredded cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce, about 3–5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
  10. Turn off the Instant Pot and let the mac and cheese sit for a minute to thicken before serving.

Notes

Do not stir the pasta into the liquid before pressure cooking to prevent sticking. Use freshly shredded cheese for best texture. Season at the end to avoid over-salting. If sauce is too thick, add a splash more milk. Pasta should be tender but not mushy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, mac and cheese, no drain, creamy, quick dinner, comfort food, easy recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-instant-pot-mac-and-cheese-no-drain-recipe-easy-and-perfect/